This weekend representatives from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation (ALF) joined together to launch the Ramadan Voluntary Blood Donation campaign and the National Organ Donation campaign. The campaigns, which are being run for the seventh consecutive year, will continue throughout Ramadan, concluding at the end of the Eid holidays.
The two campaigns were officially launched Thursday evening by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Founder and Chairman of ALF, at City Center Mall, Doha’s busiest and most vibrant shopping center. Mr. Ali Al Khater, Chair of the Ministry of Public Health’s Healthcare Communications Committee and Chief Communications Officer at HMC and Mr. Abdullatif Ali Al Yafei, General Manager of ALF were among the attendees at the ceremony held to officially launch the campaigns.
Commenting on the launch of the annual campaigns, His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani said ALF is pleased to take part in the annual initiative as part of its annual corporate social responsibility commitment. “ALF has always been a key partner with HMC in these important campaigns which encourage the public to donate blood and consider registering as an organ donor. The blood donation campaign fosters a culture of voluntary blood donation by educating the public on the importance of blood donation and how it can make a positive impact on the lives of many patients. Through our participation, we also aim to raise public awareness about the importance of organ donation by correcting any misconceptions the public may have about organ donation.”
His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani extended an open invitation to all members of the community to visit the ALF pavilion at City Center Mall. “This year, we have planned a variety of fun and interactive activities, including storytelling and educational activities. We are focusing on promoting humanitarian values through being a good corporate citizen and our pavilion will introduce visitors to a number of important concepts such a recycling.”
Mr. Al Khater thanked His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani and ALF for their continued support of HMC and the organ and blood donation campaigns, saying: “We feel honored to cooperate with ALF each year in delivering the organ and blood donation campaigns. On behalf of HMC I wish to thank His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani and ALF for their ongoing support. I also wish to thank and acknowledge everyone who has supported these campaigns and I hope others will be inspired to donate and give the gift of life.”
In addition to the ALF pavilion, HMC will have an organ donation booth located at City Center Mall. Staffed by Qatar Organ Donation Center (Hiba) representatives, booths have also been set up in shopping malls and other prominent locations around the country. Trained staff working at the booths will provide information about becoming a registered organ donor, including the process involved and the benefits. The campaign will also provide members of the public with an opportunity to ask questions about organ transplantation. Individuals who are interested in becoming a donor will be able to register at the booths and receive their donor card on the spot.
Commenting on the Ramadan organ donation campaign, Professor Riadh Fadhil, Director of the Qatar Organ Donation Center at HMC, said its main objective was to increase awareness within the community about organ donation, increase the number of registered donors, and help correct misconceptions about organ donation.
He said: “An organ transplant can be a life-saving procedure and can significantly improve the quality of life for someone with chronic organ failure. Life-saving organs come from deceased donors as well as living donors. In Qatar, it is possible for a suitable living donor to donate a kidney or part of their liver to a relative. In addition to kidney and liver transplantation programs, Qatar also has stem cell and cornea transplantation programs and a pancreas transplantation program is under development,” said Professor Fadhil.
He added: “In Doha, we have a team of highly skilled professionals working in organ donation and transplantation. We have state of the art facilities and provide a safe and compassionate service in contrast to the commercial transplantation done abroad which can carry high mortality rates and the risk of serious complications.”
“Under the Doha Donation Accord, we make sure we look after donors and their families. For living donors, we provide health insurance for life, as well as covering any loss of income due to working days missed during the operation and recovery. We also honor our donors with a medal during an annual ceremony that recognizes those who have selflessly given this precious gift of life to someone in need.”
“We need more donors to register in Qatar so no one has to face losing a loved one while they are waiting for an organ. Achieving self-sufficiency in organ donation as a society cannot be achieved without community solidarity," concluded Professor Fadhil.
Dr. Asma Al Abdulghani, Director of HMC’s Organ Donation Campaign, said her team has briefed more than 500 staff members who will be directly involved in the organ donation campaign. She says the multicultural team of campaign representatives will be able to support members of the public in making a decision about becoming an organ donor, and in most cases will be able to do it in their native language.
To learn more about organ donation and to register as a donor, please visit our website:
http://organdonation.hamad.qa.
Malls |
1) City Center |
2) Gulf Mall |
3) Villagio Mall |
4) Safari Mall |
5) Grand Mall |
6) Al Meeras |
7) Ansar Gallery |
8) Quality Hypermarkets |
9) Al Mirqab Mall |
10) Al Khor Mall |
11) Lulu Hypermarket Gharafa |
12) Ezdan Malls |
13) Family Food Centers |
14) Dar Al Salam |
15) Hyatt Plaza |
16) Al Attia Market |
